CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini (27-23, 13-14 B1G) wrap up the regular season with a three-game series at Indiana. Friday's first pitch is set for 5 p.m. CT, Saturday's game is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT, and Sunday's series finale is slated for 1 p.m. CT.
The series from Bart Kaufman Field will stream on B1G+.
LAST TIME OUT
The Fighting Illini completed their sweep of Northwestern with a 10-3 win over the Wildcats on Sunday afternoon at Illinois Field.
Extending its winning streak to five games, Illinois used a strong start from Sam Mommer and an early offensive outburst to improve to 27-23 overall and 13-14 in Big Ten play.
Mommer made his fourth start of the year, earning the win after throwing a career-high five innings without allowing a run and conceding just one hit.
The first three hitters in the Illini lineup all posted multi-hit days at the plate. Nick Groves went 3-for-4 while reaching four times and scoring twice in the leadoff spot, while Michael Farina and Jack Zebig both tallied two hits. Collin Jennings hit his team-leading 15th home run of the season in the bottom of the first, which came on a three-run shot to right.
The Orange and Blue opened the scoring with a four-run first before plating two in the bottom of the second to extend their lead to 6-0. An RBI double in the third and two runs in the fourth then saw the Illini take a 9-0 advantage through four innings of play.
After the Wildcats got a run back in the sixth, the Illini retook a nine-run lead with Zebig's RBI single in the home half of the eighth. Northwestern scored twice in the top of the ninth, but it was not enough as Illinois closed its home schedule with a victory.
ABOUT INDIANA
Indiana enters the final week of the regular season with a 21-30 record, including a 7-20 mark in Big Ten play. The Hoosiers were swept by Purdue on the road in their most recent conference series.
At the plate, Indiana is led by five qualified hitters with a .300 average or better. LHP/OF Caleb Koskie leads the way with a .371 batting average to go alongside six home runs and 37 RBI. INF Jake Hanley, batting .338, leads the Hoosiers in RBI (45), while he is tied with C/OF Hogan Denny for the team lead in home runs with 13. Denny, Hanley, and Koskie all also have an OPS over 1.000 this season.
The Indiana pitching staff has a combined 6.71 ERA on the year.
SERIES HISTORY
Illinois and Indiana have played over 210 times in the all-time series, which dates back to the 19th century.
The Illini hold a 127-90-1 advantage over the Hoosiers and have won the last two series between the sides. Illinois secured a 2-1 series win when the teams played last season at Illinois Field.
STARTING ROTATION SHINES VS. NORTHWESTERN
During Illinois' sweep of Northwestern on May 8-10, the Fighting Illini pitching staff allowed just six runs, while the team's starters – LHP Regan Hall, LHP Aidan Flinn, and RHP Sam Mommer – combined for 15 scoreless innings.
Hall started the weekend with five shutout innings and seven strikeouts in the Illini's 12-0 run-rule win on Friday. Flinn followed it up with five scoreless frames and five strikeouts while allowing only one hit in Illinois' 4-3 victory on Saturday. In the series finale on Sunday, Mommer recorded five scoreless innings while giving up only one hit and striking out two in the Orange and Blue's 10-3 triumph.
FLINN EARNS B1G FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK HONORS
Fighting Illini freshman pitcher Aidan Flinn was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the first time in his career, the conference office announced on Monday afternoon.
Flinn fired five scoreless frames while striking out five and allowing only one hit in Illinois' 4-3 win over Northwestern on Saturday night.
The Mokena, Illinois, native allowed only two baserunners across his five innings of work. He retired the final nine batters he faced, including back-to-back 1-2-3 innings in the fourth and fifth.
Following his third consecutive start that spanned at least five innings, Flinn lowered his ERA to 2.57 across his 13 appearances.
He is the second Illini to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Week this season, as AJ Putty earned the recognition on Feb. 23. The Orange and Blue have garnered multiple Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors for the first time since the 2017 season.
GROVES CLIMBS ILLINI ON-BASE STREAK LIST
OF Nick Groves reached base in 42 consecutive games between April 29, 2025, and April 5, 2026, which ranks as the fourth-longest stretch by an Illini since 2004. He reached base safely in each of his first 29 appearances to start the 2026 season.
The streak came to an end against Indiana State on April 7.
ON-BASE STREAKS SINCE 2004
- Cam McDonald (2021-22)...........................63 games
- Branden Comia (2022-23)...........................60 games
- Ben Troike (2017-18)...................................57 games
- Nick Groves (2025-26)...............................42 games
- Kyle Hudson (2008).....................................38 games
ILLINI DEFEAT #20 NEBRASKA FOR THIRD RANKED WIN
Illinois opened its weekend series against No. 20 Nebraska with a 10-5 win over the ranked Cornhuskers on April 24.
A three-hit day from Jack Zebig and a grand slam from Will Johannes fueled the Fighting Illini offense, while Regan Hall got the start and tossed seven innings en route to his sixth victory of the season.
Jack Zebig went 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBI, while Michael Farina and Nick Groves both tallied two hits with two runs scored. AJ Putty accounted for two RBI of his own.
On the mound, Hall went seven innings with six strikeouts, while Sam Mommer threw two scoreless frames in relief.
Zebig's two-out home run in the first opened the scoring before the hosts plated six in the bottom of the third. Johannes' grand slam highlighted the high-scoring inning as the Illini batted around and took a 7-0 advantage.
After the Huskers got on the board with the game's next four runs, the Orange and Blue answered with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Groves, Zebig, and Putty all drove in a run in the frame as the home side extended their lead to 10-4 through six.
Nebraska cut into its deficit with a run in the top of the seventh, but Mommer efficiently ended the game with back-to-back zeros in the eighth and ninth to seal the Illini win.
SCHUPMANN'S WALKOFF SENDS ILLINI PAST #19 OREGON
The Fighting Illini used a three-run walkoff home run from Kyle Schupmann to cap off a wild day at Illinois Field, with the Orange and Blue defeating No. 19 Oregon, 16-13, on April 19.
The Illini recorded 12 runs over the final three innings, with the sides combining to score 21 times across the last three frames of the day.
Schupmann delivered the game-winning home run in the bottom of the ninth, finishing his 2-for-5 day at the plate with four RBI and two runs scored. Michael Farina reached base four times and tallied three hits while scoring twice.
Nick Groves, J.R. Nelson, and AJ Putty all posted multi-hit days of their own. Groves and Nelson each generated two RBI, while Putty also drew three walks and scored three times.
On the mound, Sam Mommer secured the victory, tossing the final 1.2 innings without conceding a run while only allowing one baserunner.
PUTTY NAMED MIDSEASON FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICAN
Freshman first baseman AJ Putty was named a Midseason Freshman First Team All-American by Perfect Game, the organization announced on April 1.
Putty was one of two Big Ten players on the list, joined by Oregon outfielder Angel Laya.
Through the first 27 games of his collegiate career, Putty hit .342 with four home runs, 33 RBI, and 10 doubles while starting all 27 contests.
ILLINI PITCHERS STAR IN SERIES WIN VS. MINNESOTA
The Illini pitching staff combined to allow just four runs in the team's series win against Minnesota on March 13-14 at Illinois Field.
It marked the Illini's fewest runs allowed in a three-game series since May 7-8, 2022, vs. Miami (Ohio), when the staff conceded just three runs. It was also the program's fewest runs allowed in a three-game Big Ten series since May 9-11, 2014, at Iowa (four runs).
ILLINI GO 3-0 AT FIRST PITCH INVITATIONAL
Illinois went perfect at the First Pitch Invitational at the Greenville Drive's Fluor Field in Greenville, S.C. The Illini defeated Michigan State, Charleston, and UAlbany over the course of the three-day event.
The Illini kicked off the weekend with a 10-inning win, 5-4, over Michigan State on Friday afternoon. Michael Farina delivered the game-winning hit in extras, Daniel Contreras and Nick Groves tallied three hits apiece, and Kyle Remington pitched the final three innings in relief en route to victory.
On Saturday, the Illini continued their winning ways with their first shutout of the season, a 5-0 victory over Charleston. Regan Hall earned the win with his six shutout innings before Aidan Flinn and Reed Gannon combined for three scoreless frames in relief. Hall allowed five hits while striking out seven, Flinn finished with three strikeouts across two innings, while Gannon recorded a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth.
Closing out the weekend with a 14-6 win over UAlbany, Illinois saw Michael Farina and Kyle Schupmann both register three hits, while Collin Jennings and AJ Putty posted three RBI apiece. The Illini used nine pitchers during the contest, with Mitch Dye earning the victory behind his 2.2 shutout innings with two strikeouts.
ILLINOIS RECORDS ROAD UPSET OF #6 COASTAL CAROLINA
The final game of Baseball at the Beach saw Illinois secure its first ranked victory of the season with a 14-5 upset road win over No. 6 Coastal Carolina on Feb. 22.
The Fighting Illini offense exploded for a season-high 14 runs and 17 hits, with six Illini hitters registering multiple hits. The triumph marked head coach Dan Hartleb's 600th of his collegiate managerial career.
Freshman AJ Putty highlighted the offensive dominance with five hits, including four for extra bases, and seven RBI. His grand slam in the first inning was the second home run of his career, while he finished the day with 11 total bases.
Kyle Schupmann secured a 3-for-5 day at the plate while scoring three runs, while Will Johannes went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. Nick Groves, Michael Farina, and Daniel Contreras all tallied two hits on the day.
Regan Hall recorded the win on the mound during his 5.1 innings of work, while Kyle Remington tossed 3.2 innings of one-hit, shutout ball in relief en route to the save.
The win marked the Illini's first ranked victory since April 30, 2024, when Illinois defeated #24 Indiana State.
The Illini earned their first ranked road win since Feb. 26, 2023, when Illinois defeated No. Southern Miss away from home. It was the Illini's first top-10 road win since March 8, 2015, when Illinois defeated No. 10 Oklahoma State, and it was the Illini's highest ranked road win since March 8, 2009, when Illinois defeated No. 1 LSU.
DAN HARTLEB REACHES 600 CAREER WINS
With Illinois' win at No. 6 Coastal Carolina, Dan Hartleb secured the 600th victory of his collegiate managerial career.
Currently in his 21st season at the helm of the program in 2026, Hartleb is the winningest coach in Illini baseball history. During his tenure, he has led the Orange and Blue to three Big Ten championships, one Big Ten Tournament title, five NCAA Regional appearances, and one NCAA Super Regional appearance with the Illini.
Along with being named Big Ten Coach of the Year two times, Hartleb was named Big Coach of the Decade (2010s) by D1Baseball.
As he enters his 36th season overall at Illinois, Hartleb has seen 155 players earn Big Ten All-Conference honors under his watch, with 47 of those players earning first-team selections. He has also coached a total of 27 All-Americans and 110 players who have gone on to play professionally.
Among active Big Ten coaches, Hartleb is one of two coaches who have spent at least 20 seasons as head coach at their current school (John Savage, UCLA, 22nd season in 2026).
NEW YEAR, NEW FACES
Illinois has 16 returners and 18 newcomers on its roster.
Thirteen newcomers are transfers: C Daniel Contreras (Illinois State), OF Cole Crafton (Louisville), INF Michael Farina (Southeastern CC), LHP Tore Indomenico (Notre Dame), RHP Ryan Johnson (Georgia Tech), RHP Richie LaCien (Lawrence University), RHP Olivier Martel (Mineral Area College), RHP Liam McKillop (SIUE), RHP Sam Mommer (Wisconsin-Parkside), INF J.R. Nelson (Ohio), RHP Ryan Ohm (Iowa Central CC), RHP Kyle Remington (Minnesota), and OF/1B Cole Warehime (SEMO).
The Illini roster includes five freshmen, all of whom hail from the state of Illinois: LHP Aidan Flinn (Mokena), INF Lucas Krebs (Edwardsville), INF AJ Putty (McHenry), OF/RHP Foti Rigopoulos (Galena), and RHP Ike Young (Cisco).
PUTTY NAMED B1G FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK (FEB. 23)
Fighting Illini freshman infielder AJ Putty was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the first time in his career following a standout second week of the 2026 season, the conference office announced on Feb. 23.
Across Illinois' four games from Feb. 17-22, Putty went 9-for-17 with five doubles, a grand slam, and 11 RBI while starting each contest at first base.
A native of McHenry, Illinois, Putty marked his home debut with a 3-for-5 day at the plate against Butler, driving in two runs while scoring twice and hitting two doubles. He registered multiple RBI three days later in the Illini's victory over VCU, reaching base twice via a walk and a single.
His biggest performance of the week came in the Illini's upset road win over No. 6 Coastal Carolina on Sunday. The freshman first baseman went 5-for-6 with four extra-base hits, seven RBI, and 11 total bases. His grand slam in the first inning marked the second home run of his collegiate career, while his five hits and three doubles were tied for the most by a Big Ten player in a game at the time.
Putty held a team-high batting average of .414 through the first seven college games while slugging a team-best .828. His 12 hits, six doubles, 24 total bases, and 13 RBI also led the team.
He was the first Illini to win Big Ten Freshman of the Week in nearly nine years, when former Illini and current Kansas City Royal Michael Massey received the honor on May 1, 2017.
NCBWA STOPPER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST
Two Illini baseball players were selected to the watch list for the 21st Annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award.
Left-hander Zach Bates and right-hander Mitch Dye were both named to the list.
Bates is coming off of a breakout 2025 season, during which he amassed 34 strikeouts in 28.2 innings of work last season over 23 relief appearances. He ended the year with an ERA of 2.83 to go along with a team-high eight saves.
During the 2025 season, Dye put together 23.0 innings of work to go along with 29 strikeouts. He amassed 21 relief appearances and ended the season with an ERA of 7.43. Dye also added one save on the year.
ILLINI TRIO NAMED TO B1G PLAYERS TO WATCH LIST
The Fighting Illini saw three student-athletes honored on the Big Ten Players to Watch list, the conference office announced.
Junior outfielder Collin Jennings, junior left-handed pitcher Regan Hall, and senior outfielder Nick Groves were all recognized with preseason honors for the first time in their respective careers.
Jennings put together a breakout sophomore season in 2025, hitting 16 home runs and driving in 61 runs, the latter of which were the most by an Illini since 2008. Tabbed with preseason All-Big Ten honors from Perfect Game, the Orland Park, Ill., native was also named one of the nation's top 100 collegiate juniors by the organization.
Hall heads into the 2026 season after securing a team-high seven wins on the mound for the Illini as a sophomore. Going 4-0 with a 1.03 ERA in the month of April in 2025, the New Mexico native finished his sophomore season with 67.2 innings pitched across 12 starts and 14 total appearances. He recorded his first complete game against Indiana on April 13.
Groves appeared in 43 games, making 41 starts, for the Illini in his first season with the program in 2025. Tallying a slash line of .324/.493/.385, his .493 on-base percentage ranked fifth in Big Ten last season, while his 15 stolen bases were tied for the seventh-most in the conference. He entered 2026 with an active on-base streak of 13 games
ONES TO WATCH
Perfect Game Preseason All-Big Ten
OF Collin Jennings
Perfect Game Top 100 Collegiate Juniors
No. 77 - OF Collin Jennings
Perfect Game Top 2026 B1G Draft Prospects
No. 9 - OF Collin Jennings
Perfect Game Top 2027 B1G Draft Prospects
No. 16 - LHP/OF Brayden Mazzacano
No. 19 - C/OF Luke Landrus
Perfect Game Top 2028 B1G Draft Prospects
No. 13 - RHP Ike Young
D1Baseball Preseason Second Baseman Rankings
No. 46 - Jack Zebig
D1Baseball Preseason Third Baseman Rankings
No. 25 - Kyle Schupmann
D1Baseball Preseason Outfielder Rankings
No. 99 - Collin Jennings
D1Baseball Preseason Relief Pitcher Rankings
No. 65 - Zach Bates
D1Baseball Top 2026 B1G Draft Prospects
No. 16 - OF Collin Jennings
No. 53 - 2B Jack Zebig
No. 54 - LHP Zach Bates
D1Baseball Top 2027 B1G Draft Prospects
No. 17 - RHP Ryan Johnson
No. 23 - OF Cole Crafton
No. 26 - LHP/OF Brayden Mazzacano
D1Baseball Top Impact B1G Freshmen
No. 15 - RHP Ike Young
No. 26 - LHP Aidan Flinn
